Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of chronic non-transmissible diseases in elderly assisted by a Family Health Strategy in the south of Brazil. Methods: An exploratory and quantitative population-based cross sectional study was carried out. Glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels and blood pressure were used to measure the prevalence of chronic diseases and body mass index was used for nutritional status assessment. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for assessing the variables. Results: Most of the elderly were female (62%) and mean age of the population was 71.1 years. Regarding blood pressure, 45% were hypertensive. With respect to biochemical tests, 25% had high cholesterol levels, 38% had high triglycerides and 27% had high blood glucose. Excess weight was more prevalent among females (57%) and eutrophy among males (44%). Conclusion: The elderly had significant prevalences of chronic non-transmissible diseases. Hypertension was the most frequently found disease and the prevalence of diabetes was higher than that of the Brazilian elderly population.
